Sunday Potpourri: Home Ice and The Worst Human EvAh

I talked a fair bit last week about the possibilities for home ice.  I mentioned more than once how critical a 4 point series against Minnesota would be.  Two points isn't four; so does that mean the goal of hosting a home ice playoff series is over?

Seawolves Frustrate Gophers To Win 1-0

Well that was quite the different game from last night wasn't it?  At 1:28 of the 3rd period, Matt Bailey buried one of the few really unchallenged shots that the Seawolves got tonight by beating Patterson clean and high on the blocker side.  The Seawolves had opened the 3rd with excellent energy at one point outshooting the Gophers 7-2.

Not The Best Outing Ever

The title of this post says a lot.  The Seawolves tonight came out a bit flat and after going down 2-0 early never really looked particularly threatening in terms of getting back into the game.  Mitch Bruijsten did cut the lead to 2-1 on a heads up play pulling a loose puck away from the crease, going behind the net with it and wrapping it around late in the 1st period for the only goal.

Game Day Friday: Seawolves at Minnesota

Friday, January 28th 2011

UAA Seawolves vs. Minnesota Gophers

Mariucci Arena::Minneapolis, Minnesota

4:07PM (Alaska Standard Time)

How To Beat Gophers

College Hockey News has apparently abandoned it's awarding of Team of The Week honors after being the impetus for UAA's two losses versus DU last weekend.  I have to say apparently because there is no big announcement with regard to their weekly award's demise.  They just haven't given one.

Seawolves Go To The John

The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher hockey team is quite probably the premier outfit in all of college hockey.  Their rich history and tradition are shared by few other teams.  Countless alumni have achieved fame and even glory in their post-Gopher hockey lives.  They've probably won double the number of WCHA championships to the number of years that UAA has been in the league.  They are dynasty-like.  Other programs in the NCAA might be offended and feel the need to defend their perceived status in any discussion of this sort.  It's understandable, they're jealous.  

Sunday Potpourri: Recruit Update and Zeitgeist: Moving Forward

In Cosmology, the Big Bang Theory tells us that the only way we can go into the future is to travel at 99.9% the speed of light.  Luckily we're unencumbered by those laws of physics from peering into the future so let's look at how the future Seawolves have been doing.  First let's look at the D-men eh?

UAA Takes It On The Chin 5-1

Tell me that ain't Gwoz ...

It's pretty rare you see a hockey team that basically outworked and outplayed an opponent lose by 5-1.  That's what I saw tonight.  Tonight's game for me came down to a contest of chances finishing.  The Seawolves finished only one of their many many chances.  DU finished most of their chances.  Game over. Nutshell.  Finis.  End of story.  That's all she rolls.  The fat lady sung.

UAA v. DU: Saturday Lines and Live Chat

Grant - Kwas - Gellert

Haddad - Bailey - Bruijsten

Wiles - Naslund - Cameron

Portwood - Parkinson - Crowell

Warner - Gorham

Leinweber - Vidmar

McLeod - Sproule

Gunderson - Kamal

UAA Takes a Tough Loss 3-2 vs. DU

The Seawolves played three really solid periods of hockey tonight but came up short.  The University of Denver scored with just 9 seconds gone from the game clock.  With both teams scoring 2 goals each over the remaining 59:51 it was the difference in the game.  It's not appropriate to call it the game winner but in essence it was the difference in the game.

It Ain't Exactly The SI Cover Jinx, But ...

The combined record of college hockey teams this season after being named the College Hockey News "Team of the Week" is 6-7-3 for the games immediately following the announcement. 

UAA's Equipment Manager Profiled by KTUU

 
A nice video feature that apparently aired back on December 13th.  Thought I'd share it for any like me that hadn't seen it.

WCHA P'sOTW: Grant and Gunderson

Rob Gunderson and Tommy Grant were respectively named WCHA Rookie Of The Week and Offensive Player Of The Week today.  Congratulations to both.

Craig Parkinson, "We're ready to play Denver Tomorrow ..."

"You talk to most guys .. we're excited, we want to play ... Denver tomorrow. We're ready to go. We're exicted to get down there and start Friday night; certainly." said Craig Parkinson in the UAA Hockey Fan Blog interview from Saturday night following the sweep of Colorado College.  That anticipation is certainly shared by me.  I've been looking forward to this rematch since the previous one finished just before the Seawolves holiday break.  

Post Game Interviews 1-15-11 vs CC

It was cleaning time at the Sully as the Seawolves break out the brooms after a 2-1 victory over Colorado College. Craig Parkinson and Alex Gellert scoring the goals(on an assists from Tommy Grant, his fifth point of the weekend) behind the strength of another strong performance by goalie Rob Gunderson.

How Sweep It Is ... Seawolves 2 - CC 1

Two important things happened tonight.  The most important is that the squad got an extremely meaningful 2 points that helped solidify themselves above the group of teams below them in the conference standings.  UAA's 14 points also puts them just 2 points below three team currently tied for 5th place (CC, Minnesota, Wisconsin).

Seawolves 4 - CC 1

Two things you need to win a hockey game; goaltending and scoring.  Both were in place for the Seawolves tonight.  Rob Gunderson put in another strong performance to add to what has been excellent play over his last 6 games.  Colorado College threw 22 shots on Gunderson but could only manage the single tally.  Rob was sharp all night and downright bandit-like on at least 3 occasions to preserve the win.

Post Game Interviews 1-14-11 vs CC

UAA wins tonight, and this time is wasn't by one goal!, 4-1 behind 3 Power Play goals and a shorthanded goal. Two goals from Tommy Grant and one each from Craig Parkinson and Mitch Bruijsten all behind a First Star performance from goaltender Rob Gunderson (including a few saves that many wondering how they didn't go in).

Game Day Friday: CC at UAA

Friday January 14th 2011
UAA Seawolves vs. CC "Black Bears"
Sullivan Arena::Anchorage, Alaska
7:07PM (Alaska Standard Time)

Austin Coldwell Verbals To UAA

Austin Coldwell from the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL has verbally committed to attend UAA.  The 20 year old blueliner from Vancouver, Washington is currently the 2nd highest scoring defensemen in the league and leads the team in scoring with 6 goals and 12 assists; was selected to the 2010 USHL All-Star game.

You Need To Know Stuff

The UAA Hockey Alumni Association is hosting it's annual Youth Skills Competition (Skate, Pass & Shoot!) this Saturday afternoon (January 15th, 2011) at the Sullivan Arena.  The competition is open to boys Mites, Squirts and Peewees and to girls 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U.

UAA and CC: More Alike Than Different?

In the last 3 WCHA seasons UAA and CC have had quite the battle.  They have played each other 9 times.  CC has won 5 games.  UAA has won 4 games.  2 of UAA's wins have come in OT with CC getting 1 OT win.  7 of the 9 games have been essentially one goal games.  UAA has won 4 of those 7 games.  The remaining two games were 5-0 and 6-1 wins by CC.  I can't imagine another UAA series over three years that had much tighter results.  Can't help but think that this weekends games will live up to that history.  

The Holiday Break Is Finally Over

Friday night is the 4th of 5 total games the Seawolves will face the Colorado College Black Bears this season.  CC has a 2-1 record coming into the series and sits exactly 4 points above the Seawolves in the standings.  UAA has 10 points and is tied with Mankato for 8th while CC is one of three teams with 14 points tied for 5th.  So this weekend is kinda of a big deal points-wise for the Seawolves.

Lafranchise To Depart Seawolves

Senior UAA defenseman Kane Lafranchise is leaving school this week and heading home.  My information tells me that Kane was a capable and dedicated student with the necessary abilities to be successful in his studies.  He was not able to regain his eligibility to play this semester so in concert with his family and with consultation of all involved he has chosen to leave school.  It's important to note that details (which I won't provide here) as to his specific challenges maintaining his playing eligibility give me good reason to express his scholarly attributes.

Sunday Potpourri: Warm Up, Grog's Story & A Wedding

It's another 12 long days before the team hits the ice versus Colorado College to begin the 2nd half of the season. There is much reason to anticipate success and be excited. But there are many potential pratfalls that await as well.